Head of School – Full Time

Parental Leave Cover - Fixed Term contract

We are looking for a Head of School to work primarily at the Upper School.

Do you have a passion for nurturing, inspiring, and transforming lives? Are you committed to making a positive difference to young people’s outcomes, dedicated to ensuring outstanding pastoral care, maintaining and enhancing a positive working environment for staff?

The Governors and Executive Headteacher of Paddock School are seeking to recruit an inspirational and dynamic Head of School to help us create the best possible future for our children.

Paddock School is a growing, outstanding, and innovative split-site school in Roehampton and Putney for pupils with moderate to severe learning difficulties, including autism or severe or complex learning difficulties. Our innovative and inspirational curriculum includes a thriving music department, a range of enrichment activities for pupils including horticulture at our allotment and at Holly Lodge, companion cycling, Yorda Adventure playground, swimming, and a school café open to the local community. We currently have 215 pupils on roll with approximately 180 staff. Paddock has 3 distinct schools, Lower, Middle, and Upper School, which has approximately 73 pupils on roll.

We are currently working with the Local Authority to expand our provision by building and developing a new Secondary School in Broadwater Road, Tooting for occupancy in September 2025.

We pride ourselves on the warm, nurturing culture of the School, and staff share a deep commitment to supporting the individual needs of pupils; every pupil here is known, understood, and cherished.

You should demonstrate experience in such areas as structured teaching and other autism-specific strategies, accredited awards, learning and teaching, admissions, curriculum management, and staff development. A thorough understanding of how children learn with a range of learning needs is essential.

You will have a proven track record in education management impacting on outcomes for children and young people with Special Needs. Also needed is a proven ability to operate at a strategic level, leading and driving change. You will show commitment to exceptional school and staff development by coaching and mentoring others. In addition, a creative approach to delivering learning outcomes and solving day-to-day problems as they arise would be most welcomed. As a Designated Safeguarding Lead you will liaise with internal and external professionals to ensure that pupils get the care they need. Exemplary interpersonal skills are essential.

Our Head of School will be part of a hardworking team, who are justifiably proud of all we do. Our school ethos is one of inclusion, respect, and high aspiration for all. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our school community develops as a lifelong learner.

We offer excellent training and support along with a pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, and other well-being benefits.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact the Recruitment team on recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk to arrange a suitable date and time.

An information pack, including a Job Description and Person Specification can be downloaded below or from the Wandsworth Council website https://jobs.richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk/

Alternatively, please contact the school for any further details by email at recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk or by telephone on 020 8878 1521.

Completed applications should be returned to the school either by email at recruitment@paddock.wandsworth.sch.uk or posted to the Upper School addressed for the attention of the School HR Manager.

Closing date: 18 March 2024 (at 5pm) 

Interview date: To be confirmed - We advise candidates to apply as soon as possible and reserve the right to interview before the closing date and the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Please note that we do not accept CVs.

Paddock Lower School 

St Margaret’s Crescent 

Putney 

SW15 6HL

Tel: 020 8878 1521 

Head of Lower School: Deborah Dockery 

Executive Head Teacher: Sarah Santos

Paddock Middle School

St Margaret’s Crescent 

Putney 

SW15 6HL

Tel: 020 8878 1521

Acting Head of Middle School: Frances Young 

Executive Head Teacher: Sarah Santos

Paddock Upper School & Sixth Form 

Priory Lane 

Roehampton 

SW15 5RT

Tel: 020 8878 1521

Head of School: Lynette Martyn 

Executive Head Teacher: Sarah Santos